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Mrs Sloggett and Mrs Hart, who were prime movers in setting up Union Street’s Union Corner community building in 2016, are planning to invite start-up retailers to rent space in the Clipper, making it a mini-version of Plymouth Market.

"We are really aware of being sensitive to some of the challenges the street has and the local people have around alcohol," said Mrs Sloggett, whose husband also owns a business on Union Street.

"I think pubs provide a really important role in the community, and we can see that in places like the Lord High Admiral, but it is really challenging on th street at the moment and we wanted to provide something different.

Wendy Hart and Hannah Sloggett have taken over the Clipper Inn (Image: Penny Cross)

"The Two Trees had an important position between Bath Street and Colin Campbell Court, so that offers a real opportunity for the local area and there are some real opportunities there.

"If we want people wandering around the waterfront and exploring the area then we need key places where people can stop on the way. I think there are a few buildings on Union Street that could be used for that function."

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Proprietor David Scarff was also hit with a legal costs bill of more than £2,000, after inspectors found the venue playing top tunes by artists such as the Rolling Stones without the necessary Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) licence in July.

The Herald has contacted The Two Trees for further comment, but has not received a response.

The Two Trees was banned from playing music and closed shortly after (Image: Millicent Cooke)

He said: "Years ago when Wetherspoon opened I could guess what was to come. Just 18 months after opening I was talking to the catering manager there and the kind of figures the pub was receiving for food was two or three times any other fast food bars on Union Street was taking.

"The appearance of big companies means the disappearance of small businesses.

"Looking back over the last few years, Stonehouse has really deteriorated and where it goes from here I do not want to guess.

"It takes a lot of determination and hard face to stand there to face the challenges and keep going."

Mrs Sloggett added: "The street is changing and I think we need to find new uses for places, uses which will be fit for purpose.

"But at the same time we are really aware of the risk of gentrification in the area, so it needs to be inclusive new uses - not about going all fancy. All you would be doing then is not actually tackling the real challenges people are facing on a day-to-day basis."